Becoming a Stellar Wedding Guest

We always hear about how to be the perfect Bridesmaid, Groomsmen, Mother of the Bride or even how to be the best Bride and Groom/Groom and Groom or Bride and Bride. It’s not often that we receive help on how to be a stellar wedding guest. It’s not easy, we have all been there. What to wear? What to buy? Where to sit? How to act? And so on…

I thought I would take the chance to shed some light on this topic, as people like us who are always the guest and have yet to be the bride, need a little guidance on this matter. We don’t want to be the average guest here; we want to be the perfect guest.

So, you’ve just received the wedding invitation. Speaking for myself, I get very excited when I get a wedding invitation in the mail, now measure that excitement and multiply that by 100 to get a feel for how excited the couple is to receive your RSVP back. Advice  – don’t wait weeks to answer. If you know you can make it, the proper thing to do is respond right away. Not only will the couple be thrilled to find out you’re coming but they can start planning as soon as they start getting RSVP’s back. Now, to be that stellar guest we have been talking about – why not add a cute message in the RSVP envelope to let that special couple know just how excited you are to share in their special day. That little gesture can go a long way!

Next will be the wedding gift, this is probably the part where most people get stressed out. Most couple’s these days have a wedding registry at a store of their choice. So, when all else fails there is absolutely nothing wrong with using that registry. The days of making a nice quilt for the couple are unfortunately over for most. Why not pick something you know they will use and want? Advice – instead of asking the couple what they would like, ask the wedding party. The couple is very busy planning the big day and if everyone asked them once, they would get that question over 100 times. If you want to make your gift extra special why not add something personal to it. If you’re worried about giving them a boring old blender…why not give them a recipe for your favorite icy drink inside?

To the ladies – please don’t wear white. Enough said.

Arrive to the ceremony about 30 minutes before it starts. Being late is probably the most embarrassing moment you could share with all 200 wedding guests when you attempt enter that church door “stealthily”. Remember, before the ceremony the Bride is usually hiding out in a limo somewhere, so yes she can see you arrive late. Don’t be a statistic, be punctual.

We all understand that some people don’t like their picture taken, but you are a stellar wedding guest and you will put that aside for the day. Besides, the couple wants a memory of you being there! So, stand proud, visible to the camera and smile. You are gorgeous! Worried about not being photogenic? I will share my tips with you. If you are flying solo in a picture – why not turn your back slightly toward them and give them an over the shoulder smile (this is great for removing 10 pounds from your face). If you are in a group setting turn your body ever so slightly and put all of your weight on one foot. Once you’re in that stance tilt your head down, smile like you normally would, but then take it down a notch to create a more natural look. Lastly, never look directly at the camera lens, look just above it. Voila – you’re a model, so make me proud!

The next point of discussion is a small one, but very important. Most will think this is an obvious point but you do not want to be the talk of the wedding. There is ALWAYS that one person who drinks a little too much and does something silly, I don’t know about you but I like to avoid that drunkest guest title. Of course weddings are meant to be fun and an excuse to let loose…within reason. So live it up, but stand straight and sure, dance with your tie around your head guys. This day is meant to be about the couple, not their wild friends from College.

Now that you are equipped with everything you need to know about being that stellar wedding guest, I really hope you enjoy yourself. A wedding is one of the best days of a couple’s life together and they invited you to be a part of it, so stand tall, keep the etiquette in mind and rock it!

~ Ashley Cooke

Why should you hire a Certified Wedding Coordinator?

I often get asked this question and I 100% agree that it is a very important one. Though it can be a tough question to come out and ask a potential Wedding Coordinator, the answer is simple.

In today's society most couples are extremely busy and honestly do not have the time to plan their dream wedding. A not so surprising fact is that it takes the average couple approximately 250 hours to plan their own wedding. For most this is a daunting figure, especially since couples normally have full time jobs, classes, children, hobbies, commitments with family and friends, etc.

Another worry is the price of weddings, the average cost of a wedding in Ottawa is $25,000. Wedding Coordinators have connections and have extensive knowledge of who's who in the wedding industry. Most couples don't want to run blindly and learn the hard way on their wedding day. Wedding Coordinators have spent so much time building up vendor connections, that you as the couple can take advantage of. Not only will this save you money, but you know you are getting professional and respected vendors working for you.

All couples want their wedding to be beautiful and have that creative flare. Wedding Coordinators know "what's in" and what does and doesn't work from experience. As a couple you may have an idea of what you want but a Wedding Coordinator can take that idea to the next level. Again, teamed with reliable vendors this can all be a reality.

Couples that plan their own weddings have to keep one eye on everything during their rehearsal dinner and wedding day. This should not be the case, as a couple you are supposed to be worrying about walking down the aisle and having fun. A Wedding Coordinator will be your eyes and ears throughout the whole process, especially during the main event. If for whatever reason a small hiccup arises during your day, you can be rest assured that your Coordinator will take care of it without you needing to lift a finger.

Wedding Coordinators are very organized people by nature and creating a timeline and schedule for all of the tasks that need to be completed before the wedding is very important. This is generally part of the package when you hire a Coordinator and it is one of the most invaluable. Organization when planning is key and a couple can benefit from the help of someone who knows appropriate deadlines for certain tasks. When thinking about planning your wedding you may think, "How long can I wait before picking out a dress?" or "When is it appropriate to send out invitations?" Certified WPIC Wedding Coordinators are trained on proper etiquette for all of these important tasks.

When you put all of these points together a main idea pops up. There is no reason for you as the couple to be stressed out on or around your wedding day, this day is supposed to be special and memorable (for the right reasons). Leave the stress and hardwork to someone else and take in one of the most incredible days of your life together. Not too long ago Wedding Coordinators were thought of as something for only the wealthy, but these days it is becoming more and more popular for everyone. This is an affordable option and not by any means only for certain people. In plain terms, it is worth it!

The last but very important point is how do you pick your Wedding Coordinator? This is another fairly simple answer. You want to make sure that you and your Coordinator click and that you feel you can trust them with this important day. You should feel completely comfortable with them and what they have to offer! In Canada there is a Wedding Coordinator Certification through WPIC (Wedding Planners Institute of Canada - http://www.wpic.ca/), when working with Certified Coordinators you can be rest assured that you are dealing with someone who is professional and adhering to a code of ethics through the association.

~ Ashley Cooke